Refugee Situation in Serbia in June 2018

According to the UNHCR estimates, the number of refugees and migrants in Serbia has remained unchanged and amounted to about 3,000 persons of concern, of which around 2,700 were located in state asylum centers and reception centers by the end of the month. Most of the refugees and migrants were accommodated in the asylum center in Krnjaca and reception centers in Obrenovac, Presevo and Adasevci, while the least stayed in the asylum centers in Tutin and Banja Koviljaca and reception centers in Bosilegrad, Dimitrovgrad and Subotica.

During June, most intentions for seeking asylum, out of 343 in total, were expressed in police stations (282). There were also two intentions expressed at the Belgrade airport, 48 in the reception center in Presevo and 10 at border crossings. In this period 180 asylum seekers have reported to and settled in the asylum centers.

During June, among individuals who expressed the intent to seek asylum in Serbia the majority were from Iran (86), Pakistan (80), Iraq (74) and Afghanistan (72). Individuals from Algeria, Bangladesh, Ghana, Guinea, India, Ivory Coast, Libya, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Syria and Turkey also expressed the intent to seek asylum. Out of the total number of asylum seekers, 269 were males and 74 females. The intention to seek asylum was expressed by 100 children, out of which 16 were unaccompanied or separated.

In accordance with the law, 15 asylum seekers were registered in June, at which time their identity was determined, while also getting photographed and having their fingerprints taken. 17 asylum applications were submitted, while the Asylum Office conducted seven interviews in the asylum procedure.

In regard to first instance decisions in the asylum procedure, the Asylum Office granted subsidiary protection to six persons, five citizens of Libya and one citizen of Syria. Eight applications concerning nine citizens of Algeria, Afghanistan, Cuba, Ghana, Morocco and Nigeria were refused and two applications for two citizens of Iran and Pakistan were rejected.